The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-01-14

breeds, both OF EN-, and stand right on their
record every time. She'll have precious lit
tie traffic with white feathered fellow. l
think she's been preparing for him the coldest
shoulder any young Teller in Sardis has got
for many long day."
There was nothing very funny In this
Speech but good deal of lisible matter had
accumulated in Tins diaphragm during its
delivery which he had to get rid Of, and he
did.
Harry had heard enough. While Tins
laugh yet rcsounded hc walked away UNI
noticed, and taking roundabout course
gained his room. There he remained week,
hardly coming down to his meals. 1t was
terrible week to him, for every waking hour
Of 1t he walked through the valley Of humil-
iation, and drank the bitter waters Of shame.
The joints of his hitherto impenetrable
armor Of self-conceit had been so pierced by
the fine rapier thrusts Of Rachel's scorn that
1t fell from him under the coarse pounding OF
the village loungers and left him naked and
defenseless to their blows Every nerve and
sense ached with acute pain. He now felt all
of his fathers humiliation, oil his mothers
querulous sorrow, all his betrothed's an
guish and abasement
Thoughts of suicide, and of flying to some
part Of the country where he was entirely
unknown, crowded upon him necessarily.
But with that perversity that nature SEEM
ingly delights in there had arisen in his heart
since he had lost her such love for Rachel
Bond as made life without her, or without
her esteem even, seem valueless. To go into
a strange part of the country and begin life
anew would be to give her up forever, and
this he could not do. 1t would be much pref
cradle to die demonstrating that he was in
some degree worthy of her. And a latent
manly pride awakened and came to his assist
ance He could not be the son of his proud,
iron-willed father without some transmission
of that sire's courageous qualities. He formed
his resolutions He would stay in Sardis and
recover his honor where he had lost it.
At the end of the week he heard the drums
beat, the cannon fire, and the people cheer.
The company had come home. and Yves
marching proudly down the street to well
come as enthusiastic as if its members were
bronzed veterans returning VIGOROUSLY from
a campaign that had lasted for years.
His mother told him the next day that the
company had decided to re-enlist for three
years or during the war. and that q meeting
would be held that evening to carry the in
tention into execution. When the evening
came Harry walked into the town hall,
dressed as carefully as he had prepared him
self for his visit to Rachel. He found the
whole company assembled there, the men,
bers smoking, chatting with their friends and
to admiring hearers the wonder
full experience they had gone through. The
enlistment papers were being prepared and
some of the boys who had not been examined
during the day were undergoing the surgeons
inspection in an adjoining room.
Harry was coldly received by everybody
and winced little under this contrast with
the attentions that all the others were given.
At last all the papers and rolls seemed to
be signed and there was a lull in the pro-
ceedings. Harry rose from his seat, as if to
address the meeting. Instantly all was silence
and attention.
"Comrades," he said, in firm, even voice,
Il have come to say to you that feel that I
made a mistake during our term of service
md want to apologize to you for my con-
luct then. More than this, want to redeem
myself. want to 60 with you again and
nave another chance to-"
He was interrupted by an enthusiastic
hout from them all.
8 1lulIdu! buly AoI AlcuU. OleH! VI
course we'll give you another show. Corne1
light along in your old place and welcome. +"
There was but one dissenting voice. 1t
vas that of Joseph Pancake:
"No, I'll be burned if we want We along
my more We've no place for SIGH fellers
With lis. We only want them as has sand in
heir craws"
But the protest was overslaughed by the
pnltitu1a of occnnfc A f. tho fret iptarxyo1 IF
Hence Harry said:
"No, comrades, I'll not accept a commits
ion agcin until I'm sure can do it credit.
II enlist in the company on the same footing
S the rest of the boys and share everything
With you. Give the lieutenantcy to our gal
ant comrade Pancake, who has richly earned
E."
The suggestion was accepted with more en-
husiastic cheering, and Harry, goirg up to
he desk, filed out an enlistment blank, signed
and the company roll and retired with the
lrgeon for the physical examination. This
nished he slipped out unnoticed ard went to
is home. On his way thither he saw Rachel
S she passed brilliantly lighted show win
ow She was in travelling costume and
eemed to be going to the depot. She turned
er head slightly and bowed a formal recog-
ition.
AS their eyes met he saw enough to make
i'm believe that what he had done met her
pproval